curate

1 of 2

noun

cu·​rate ˈkyu̇r-ət 

ˈkyər-

also

-ˌāt 

1

: a member of the clergy in charge of a parish

sought the counsel of the curate

2

: a member of the clergy serving as assistant (as to a rector) in a parish

curate

2 of 2

verb

cu·​rate ˈkyu̇r-ˌāt 

ˈkyər-;

kyu̇-ˈrāt 

curated; curating; curates

transitive verb

1

: to select (the best or most appropriate) especially for presentation, distribution, or publication

… suggests finding smaller consignment or vintage stores that focus on carefully curating their products and displaying them nicely.

—Elizabeth Segran

: such as

a

: to select and organize (artistic works) for presentation in (something, such as an exhibit, show, or program)

Apsáalooke curator Nina Sanders curated the exhibit. She's in Chicago working on an Apsáalooke history exhibition at the Field Museum, coming in March.

—Darcel Rockett

[Hans] Zimmer has curated the show himself and it will be conducted by Gavin Greenaway and will star Lisa Gerrard.

—Rory Cashin

The two existing gallery spaces … display an extensive collection of sought-after art curated by a selection of the county's leading artists.

—Aaliyah Miller

[The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival's] organizers curate a balanced collection of short films, episodic projects and features both by U.S. Latino directors and Latin American artists across genres.

—Carlos Aguilar

b

: to select and organize (articles, images, etc.) for distribution or publication

The way TikTok algorithmically curates content for each individual user was also a wildly effective, even if unintentional, advertising tool.

—Morgan Sung

2

: to select and bring together (people or groups) for a purpose that is dependent on the specific skills or talents of the members

… the three-day fest has curated a lineup of 400 performers …

—Boutayna Chokrane

Edens also curated a team of "local legends," including Olympic gold medalists and National Geographic photographers, to help create the types of guest experiences … that have kept him coming back year after year.

—Jen Murphy

"This year, Black Thought, Questlove and I attempted to curate a lineup that broke through the genre barriers that often separate us in black culture. To be able to book Mickey Guyton, Kirk Franklin, G Herbo, Wizkid, Wallo & Gillie, and Mary J. Blige on the same lineup was a dream come true."

—Shawn Gee

Examples of curate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

With the current political climate, Love sees the hopelessness in the world and took it upon herself to create room for people to be a part of a community that desires to curate a safe space. — Zuri Primos july 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Assemble a scrapbook or photo album to curate your personal affectations, trinkets, and memories. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 26 July 2026

The soothing, 3,000-square-foot space is centered around Ayurvedic principles and provides treatments curated and created by Panchakarma-expert-to-the-stars Martha Soffer. — Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2026

Antiquing is usually a more expensive hobby, in part because of the time and effort that dealers have expended curating their items for sale. — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English curat "person charged with the care of souls, parish priest," borrowed from Medieval Latin cūrātus, from cūrāre "to have spiritual charge of" + Latin -ātus -ate entry 2 — more at cure entry 2

Verb

back-formation from curator

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing curate

• co-curate
• curate's egg

Rhymes for curate

• jurat

Kids Definition

curate

1 of 2 noun

cu·​rate ˈkyu̇r-ət 

: a member of the clergy who assists the rector, pastor, or vicar of a church

curate

2 of 2 verb

cu·​rate ˈkyu̇r-ˌāt 

ˈkyər-;

kyu̇-ˈrāt 

curated; curating

1

: to select and organize (as artistic works) for presentation

2

: to select and gather (people) for their specific skills

Etymology

Noun

Middle English curate "member of the clergy," from Latin curatus (same meaning), from cura "spiritual charge of souls," from earlier cura "care, healing" — related to accurate, cure